Travel chair attachable to a suitcase

ABSTRACT

A portable chair attachable to a suitcase. One embodiment includes a foldable wheeled frame configured to rotate around a single axis, a fabric chair back, and a strap to secure the chair to a suitcase.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/674,222 filed Apr. 22, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to portable chairs and, more specifically, to a portable chair attachable to a suitcase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traveling with small children, especially in an airport, can be demanding. There are devices to aid parents traveling with small children. U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,039 to Alper et al. (herein incorporated by reference) teaches a wheeled suitcase designed to allow attachment of a child seat. U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,657 to Henkel (herein incorporated by reference) teaches a suitcase adapted to be reconfigured to form a seat suitable for a child. U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,313 to Lenz et al. (herein incorporated by reference) teaches a child seat attachable to a suitcase, including a harness to secure a child to the seat and straps to secure the seat to a suitcase. While these devices are useful, what is needed is an improved travel chair attachable to a suitcase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a chair frame according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a chair according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a chair according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of a tray table according to at least one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a side perspective view of a frame and five point harness according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

One aspect of an embodiment of the invention includes a chair comprising a foldable seat rotatable around a single axis, including a pair of wheeled front legs so the device can be pushed or pulled, a strap for attaching the seat to a suitcase, and a belt for securing a child to the seat.

In another aspect of the invention, a brake is provided for greater control of the wheeled device.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the chair includes a headrest, and a closable pouch or bag attachable to the underside of the headrest.

In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the chair includes arm rests and a tray table with cup holder attachable to the armrests.

In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the chair includes a closable pouch or bag attachable to the underside of the seat.

In accordance with yet other aspects of the invention, the chair includes a bar to which toys may be attached.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, a visor or canopy is provided to shield a child from the weather.

In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, all of the elements may be removed and are easily detachable and washable.

In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the tray table includes a video screen or television viewable from the seat.

In accordance with further aspects of the invention, an adjustable footrest may be provided to provide support for a child's feet.

As will be readily appreciated from the foregoing summary, the invention provides an improved travel chair attachable to a suitcase.

FIG. 1 shows a detachable travel chair frame 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The frame 12 is preferably made of aluminum tubing, but may be made of fiberglass or any other suitable material known to those having skill in the art, and may be solid or hollow.

The frame 12 includes a generally U-shaped seat back 14. Left and right arms 16, 18 are pivotably connected to the seat back 14 by, for example, screws or rivets 20. The arms 16, 18 include slots 22 slidably connected to pins 24, 26 fixably attached to left and right arm supports 28, 30. Opposite ends of the arm supports 28, 30 may be pivotably connected to left and right suitcase contact surfaces 32, 34. The ends of the seat back 14 may also be pivotably connected to the surfaces 32, 34. Seat bottom 36 may also be generally U-shaped and sized to fit inside seat back 14 when the frame 12 is folded. The ends of the seat bottom 36 may be pivotably connected to the surfaces 32, 34. Seat leg member 38 may also be generally U-shaped and may be pivotably connected to seat bottom 36 and seat arms 16, 18. Left and right wheels 40, 42 may be pivotably connected to seat leg member 38, and may include brakes (43), including centrifugal or inertial braking systems.

FIG. 2 shows a chair 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a suitcase 100. The chair 10 includes frame 12 and chair back 44. Chair back 44 may include fabric or other appropriate materials known to those having skill in the art, and is attached to seat back 14 and seat bottom 36. In an embodiment, the seat bottom 36 is rectangular or square, and the chair back 44 wraps around the seat bottom 36. Embodiments (FIG. 5) include a five point harness (88), or other devices known to those having skill in the art for securing a child in the chair 10.

Left and right lower straps 46, 48 are attached to surfaces 32, 34 and may be wrapped around the suitcase 100 and connected to each other at their opposite ends by clips 54, 56 or other attachment devices. Left and right upper straps 50, 52 may be attached to surfaces 32, 34 and may be wrapped around the suitcase handle 102 and connected by clips 54, 56. Left and right seat back straps 58, 60 may be attached to seat back 14 and may be wrapped around the suitcase handle 102 and connected by clips 54, 56. All straps may be adjustable in length. When left and right seat back straps 58, 60 are unclipped, the chair 10 may rotate around an axis through suitcase contact surfaces 32, 34, thereby allowing the wheels 40, 42 to maintain contact with the ground when the suitcase 100 is being pulled. Many other strap arrangements are possible, as well.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention including a headrest 62 attached to the frame 12 or the chair back 44 with headrest straps 64. The headrest 62 may be a pillow, cushioned or inflatable, a cushioned pouch with a zipper (not shown) on the underside of the pouch, or a pillow with pouch attached to the underside of the pillow. The chair 10 may also include a zippered seat bag 66 attached to the underside of the chair back 44 or frame 12 with seat bag straps 68. The chair 10 may also include adjustable footrests 70 clampably attached to seat leg member 38 that may be raised or lowered. The chair 10 may also include a canopy 71 rotatably connected to the seat arms 16, 18, which may be rotated forward to shield the occupant from the weather.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are top, bottom, and side views respectively, of an embodiment of a tray table 72 according to the present invention. The tray table 72 may include a cup holder 74 which may include netting or plastic (not shown) for retaining objects placed in the cup holder 74. The tray table 72 may also include a closable video screen 76. The tray table 72 may be attached to the seat arms 16, 18 by deformable clips 78, or other suitable means known to those having skill in the art. The tray table 72 may also define receptacles 80 for attaching a bar 82 which may be used to hang toys to entertain the occupant. The tray table 72 may also include a closable tray table bag 84 which may attach to the underside of the tray table 72 using snaps, buckles, zippers, buttons, or other means known to those having skill in the art.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, all elements may be removed and may be easily detachable and washable. Additionally, the leg member may comprise a pair of legs. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. 

1. A chair comprising: a foldable wheeled frame configured to rotate around a single axis; a chair back attached to the frame and configured to support an occupant's weight; at least one strap attached to the frame and configured to secure the frame to a suitcase; and at least one belt for securing an occupant to the frame.
 2. The chair of claim 1 wherein the frame includes: a seat back attached to the chair back and the at least one strap, the seat back having two ends, each end connected to a pin; a pair of slotted seat arms pivotably connected to the seat back at one end; a pair of arm supports each rotatably connected to one of the pins at one end and slidably connected to the seat arms at an opposite end; a seat bottom having two ends, each end rotatably connected to one of the pins; and a wheeled leg member having two ends, each end connected to one of the seat arms, wherein the single axis goes through both pins.
 3. The chair of claim 2 wherein the wheeled leg member includes a brake.
 4. The chair of claim 1, wherein when the frame is attached to a tilted suitcase, the frame may be rotated to be more nearly upright.
 5. The chair of claim 1, including six straps for securing the chair to a suitcase.
 6. The chair of claim 5, wherein the straps are adjustable in length.
 7. The chair of claim 1, wherein the at least one belt is one of a seat belt and a five point harness system.
 8. The chair of claim 1, including a headrest attached to one of the chair back and the frame by at least one headrest strap.
 9. The chair of claim 8, wherein the headrest is one of a pillow, a cushioned closable bag, and a pillow with an attached closable bag.
 10. The chair of claim 1, including an underseat bag attached to one of the chair back and the frame.
 11. The chair of claim 1, including a pair of vertically adjustable footrests attached to the frame.
 12. The chair of claim 1, including an adjustable canopy attached to the frame.
 13. The chair of claim 1, further including a detachable tray table attached to the frame.
 14. The chair of claim 13, wherein the tray table includes a cup holder.
 15. The chair of claim 13, wherein the tray table includes a closable video screen.
 16. The chair of claim 13, including a U-shaped bar, the tray table further including a pair of receptacles for receiving the U-shaped bar.
 17. The chair of claim 13, further including a detachable closable tray table bag attached to an underside of the tray table.
 18. A travel chair improvement system for use with a travel chair having a seat back, a pair of seat arms, a fabric seat, and a seat bottom comprising at least one of: a detachable headrest attached to one of the chair seat back and the fabric seat, the detachable headrest comprising one of a pillow, a cushioned closable bag, and a pillow with an attached closable bag; a detachable closable seat bag attached to one of the seat bottom and the fabric seat; a detachable tray table attached to one of the pair of seat arms and the seat back; a detachable closable tray table bag attached to an underside of the tray table; a vertically adjustable footrest attached to the chair; and, a detachable adjustable canopy attached to one of the seat back and the pair of seat arms.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the tray table further includes at least one of a cup holder, a foldable video screen, and a pair of receptacles for receiving a U-shaped bar. 